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Cast: Amy Acker, Gina Holden, Brooklynn Proulx, David Haydn-Jones

Director: Jason Priestley

Genre: Romance/Comedy

Year: 2011

Rating: NR

Shopaholic Crystal's (Amy Acker, Alias) wealthy parents give her an ultimatum: change her irresponsible ways by Christmas or they will cut her off without a cent. With no job or romantic prospects, what's a party girl to do? Fate intervenes when she finds seven year-old Olivia's (Emma Duke) letter to Santa asking for a new wife for her widowed dad Derek (David Haydn-Jones). Crystal tracks them down and vows to win over father and daughter before the fast-approaching holiday deadline. Volunteering at Derek's struggling soup kitchen, Crystal is at first a fish out of water, but she is determined to prove to him and herself that there's more to her than just shopping and lattes. Only Derek's jealous and calculating girlfriend (Gina Holden, Harper's Island) stands between her and her newfound happiness.

"Dear Santa" is about a woman who just loves to get buy things for herself and a single father and his young daughter. Crystal is in desperate need of an awakening and her parents are about to give it to her by cutting her allowance unless she gets her priorities straight. She decides to get a job and look for a man but one day while she is looking at clothes in a store window a letter addressed to Santa floats by in front of her. The letter is from a little girl, Olivia who is asking Santa to find a new wife for her single dad. Crystal believes it's fate and gets a job volunteering at a food kitchen Olivia's father runs in hopes of winning him over. Olivia soon finds out that she will have to change her ways and win over both Olivia and her dad while also beating out Derek's girlfriend for his attention.

"Dear Santa" doesn't try to be anything more than it is, it doesn't offer anything new and you know all along where it's heading and where it will end up but that never seems to bother you because the fun is in getting there. The film is at times sad, touching, funny and romantic plus toss in a touch of the holiday spirit and you get a romantic comedy that everyone is sure to love. The film's three main leads, Amy Acker as Crystal, David Haydn-Jones as Derek and Emma Duke as Crystal are all terrific and the supporting cast are just as good.

Like I said before the story is predictable but Director, Jason Priestly gets the most of his amazing cast and he also keeps the story lively and moving at a nice pace. The whole cast seem to have a ball making the film and it translates back to the audience. If you like a good romantic comedy or just love Christmas themed stories then I highly recommend picking this one up. It has a cute yet touching story with charming and sincere performances. The story also reminds us that the best gift of all is not material things but it's the giving of one's self. The DVD doesn't come with any bonus features but "Dear Santa" still makes for a great addition to your collection.